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Brain: Terminal stria
Dissection of brain-stem. Lateral view. (Stria terminalis labeled at upper right.)
Latin	stria terminalis
Gray's	subject #189 808
NeuroNames	hier-268
NeuroLex ID	birnlex_937

The stria terminalis (terminal stria) is a structure in the brain consisting of a band of fibers running along the lateral margin of the ventricular surface of the thalamus. Serving as a major output pathway of the amygdala, the stria terminalis runs from its corticomedial division to the ventral medial nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Anatomy

The stria terminalis covers the thalamostriate vein, marking a line of separation between the thalamus and the caudate nucleus as seen upon gross dissection of the ventricles of the brain, viewed from the superior aspect.

The stria terminalis extends from the region of the interventricular foramen to the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle, carrying fibers from the amygdala to the septal nuclei, hypothalamic, and thalamic areas of the brain. It also carries fibers projecting from these areas back to the amygdala.

Functions

It participates in anxiety and stress responses.

The stria terminalis also appears to be indicated in gender identification and in particular, the feminine essence theory of transsexuality. Studies have shown that male-to-female transsexuals are found to have female-normative cell proliferation in the central subdivision of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTc), whereas a female-to-male transsexual was found to have male-normative BSTc cell proliferation.^[1][2] It is thought this is mediated by diminished and excessive androgen levels respectively in utero and neonatally.

Additional images

Deep dissection of brain-stem. Lateral view.

Dissection of brain-stem. Dorsal view.

Human brain left dissected midsagittal view

References

1. ^ Zhou J, Hofman M, Gooren L, Swaab D (1995). "A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality". Nature 378 (6552): 68–70. doi:10.1038/378068a0. PMID 7477289.  
2. ^ Kruijver F, Zhou J, Pool C, Hofman M, Gooren L, Swaab D (2000). "Male-to-female transsexuals have female neuron numbers in a limbic nucleus". J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 85 (5): 2034–41. doi:10.1210/jc.85.5.2034. PMID 10843193.  

External links

• Photo at University of Pennsylvania
• Overview at Everything2
• BrainMaps at UCDavis stria terminalis